Monday, September 17, 2007
Dawa Party may withdraw from UIC
Politics
(Voices of Iraq) - The Daawa Party-Iraq Organization may withdraw from the Shiite Unified Iraqi Coalition (UIC) if efforts to heal the rift within the Shiite alliance fail, the leader of the party, Abdul Kareem al-Anzy, said on Sunday. The decision comes less than 24 hours after the defection of the Sadrist bloc from the UIC, the largest parliamentary bloc in the Iraqi parliament.
In statements to the independent news agency Voices of Iraq (VOI), al-Anzi said that his party, which holds 13 seats in the 275-member parliament, will make every effort to "mend the rift within the coalition." "If our attempts prove unsuccessful, we will seriously consider forming an alliance with the Sadr movement, al-Fadila Party, and others," al-Anzi added.
Al-Anzi held Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki responsible for the subsequent withdrawal of the coalition's components, claiming that divisions have reached the Islamic Daawa party, led by al-Maliki, and described the Sadrist bloc's defection as a "strike to the core." "Al-Maliki made a strategic mistake when he joined the four-way alliance without consulting his coalition," al-Anzi noted.
The Islamic Daawa Party, the Supreme Islamic Iraqi Council (SIIC), and the two main Kurdish parties formed a four-way alliance in mid-August that they said aims at backing the current Iraqi government following the withdrawal of some political blocs from the cabinet.
In statements to the independent news agency Voices of Iraq (VOI), al-Anzi said that his party, which holds 13 seats in the 275-member parliament, will make every effort to "mend the rift within the coalition." "If our attempts prove unsuccessful, we will seriously consider forming an alliance with the Sadr movement, al-Fadila Party, and others," al-Anzi added.
Al-Anzi held Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki responsible for the subsequent withdrawal of the coalition's components, claiming that divisions have reached the Islamic Daawa party, led by al-Maliki, and described the Sadrist bloc's defection as a "strike to the core." "Al-Maliki made a strategic mistake when he joined the four-way alliance without consulting his coalition," al-Anzi noted.
The Islamic Daawa Party, the Supreme Islamic Iraqi Council (SIIC), and the two main Kurdish parties formed a four-way alliance in mid-August that they said aims at backing the current Iraqi government following the withdrawal of some political blocs from the cabinet.
Labels: Abdul Kareem al-Anzy, alliance, Dawa party, Fadhela party, Sadr bloc, United Iraqi Coalition
Furtehr conflict expected between the Shiite Unified Iraqi Coalition
Politics
(Voices of Iraq) - More conflicts are expected to arise within the Shiite Unified Iraqi Coalition (UIC), the Sunni Iraqi Accordance Front (IAF) and the Kurdistan Coalition (KC), the leader of the secular National Dialogue Front (NDF), Saleh al-Motlaq, said on Sunday, describing the three blocs as "sectarian." Such divisions will be used to withdraw confidence from Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's government, al-Motlaq added.
"Those who seek to set up a national salvation front will benefit from al-Sadr movement's withdrawal from the Shiite coalition and call for a vote of no confidence against al-Maliki's government," al-Motlaq told the independent news agency Voices of Iraq (VOI) by phone. The statements come following the withdrawal of the Sadrist bloc from the Shiite coalition and the defection of the planning minister Ali Baban from the IAF two days ago.
Denying any intention to form an opposition front to what he described as the Shiite-Kurdish bloc, al-Motlaq said, "We want to set up a national salvation front, not an opposition front." The Shiite Daawa Islamic Party, the Shiite Supreme Islamic Iraqi Council (SIIC), and the two main Kurdish parties formed a four-way alliance in mid-August that they said aims at backing the current Iraqi government following the withdrawal of some political blocs from the cabinet.
Describing the withdrawal of some political blocs from the Shiite coalition as a "national awakening," al-Motlaq claimed that the formation of "sectarian blocs" will plunge the country into an abyss of violence. The NDF holds 11 seats in the 275-member parliament.
"Those who seek to set up a national salvation front will benefit from al-Sadr movement's withdrawal from the Shiite coalition and call for a vote of no confidence against al-Maliki's government," al-Motlaq told the independent news agency Voices of Iraq (VOI) by phone. The statements come following the withdrawal of the Sadrist bloc from the Shiite coalition and the defection of the planning minister Ali Baban from the IAF two days ago.
Denying any intention to form an opposition front to what he described as the Shiite-Kurdish bloc, al-Motlaq said, "We want to set up a national salvation front, not an opposition front." The Shiite Daawa Islamic Party, the Shiite Supreme Islamic Iraqi Council (SIIC), and the two main Kurdish parties formed a four-way alliance in mid-August that they said aims at backing the current Iraqi government following the withdrawal of some political blocs from the cabinet.
Describing the withdrawal of some political blocs from the Shiite coalition as a "national awakening," al-Motlaq claimed that the formation of "sectarian blocs" will plunge the country into an abyss of violence. The NDF holds 11 seats in the 275-member parliament.
Labels: Iraqi Accordance Front, Kurdistan Coalition, National Dialogue Front, Saleh al-Motlaq, United Iraqi Coalition
UIA to negotiate with Sadr bloc after decision to pull out
Politics
(KUNA) - The United Iraqi Alliance announced Monday forming a committee to negotiate with Muqtada Al-Sadr's parliamentary bloc to convince it to stay within the alliance. The alliance said in a press release that it was surprised by the decision of the bloc on quitting the alliance, as dialogue and discussions were taking place among alliance members.
All parties are ready to discuss the demands and views of Al-Sadr bloc, especially those regarding the vacant ministerial posts, it stressed. The alliance called the bloc to reconsider its decision, emphasizing the importance of unity among all Iraqi political groups. Al-Sadr's bloc announced its decision to quit Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki's alliance late Saturday.
All parties are ready to discuss the demands and views of Al-Sadr bloc, especially those regarding the vacant ministerial posts, it stressed. The alliance called the bloc to reconsider its decision, emphasizing the importance of unity among all Iraqi political groups. Al-Sadr's bloc announced its decision to quit Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki's alliance late Saturday.
Labels: Sadr bloc, United Iraqi Coalition
Friday, July 27, 2007
Al-Hakim calls for meeting with Iraqi Accordance Front
Politics
(Voices of Iraq) - Abdul Aziz al-Hakim, head of Shiite United Iraqi Coalition (UIC), called on Thursday the leaders of the Sunni Iraqi Accordance Front (IAF) to an immediate meeting after the Sunni bloc threatened to "withdraw from the government if its demands were not met," Vice-President Hashemi's office said.
"A call by Sayyed Abdul Aziz al-Hakim for the meeting came during a visit on Thursday by the Iraqi Vice President and member of IAF Tariq al-Hashemi to the head of Coalition Bloc Abdul Aziz al-Hakim on his return from medical trip," Hashemi's office said a statement received by the independent news agency Voices of Iraq (VOI).
The statement explained that Hakim's call to a meeting between the Iraqi Accordance Front and the Iraqi United Coalition was meant to discuss the demands of the Front. The Iraqi Accordance Front set on Thursday one-week deadline to meet its demands otherwise it would totally withdraw from the government. It demanded, among others, releasing detainees and having partnership in making security and political decisions.
Meanwhile, parliamentarian Harith al-Ubaidi said on Thursday the Accordance Front suspended it participation in the government until its demands were met. "The Front decided on Thursday to suspend it membership in the government until the demands it has announced will be met," al-Ubaidi told VOI over the phone.
He added "our demands circle around issuing amnesty in preparation to release the detainees and prisoners and stop the raids, arrests, and illegal practices. Those who suspended their membership were deputy premier Salam al-Zobae and the six ministers representing the front," al-Ubaidi explained.
The Iraqi Accordance Front has (44) seats out of 275-member-Parliament and has six ministries within the cabinet. The spokesperson for the Front said on Thursday the Accordance will withdraw from the Iraqi government if its demands were not seriously addressed. "The Front suffered from procrastination and delay, and if the government does not respond to our demands…we will have to withdraw from the government and the parliament," said MP Abdullah Saleem told VOI.
"The withdrawal applies to Deputy Prime Minister Salam al-Zobae, and excludes Vice President Tariq al-Hashemi", he noted. The Front has already announced suspending its ministers' participation in the government against what it said "wrong practices by the Iraqi authorities towards the front member and minister of culture Asaad al Hashimi.
"A call by Sayyed Abdul Aziz al-Hakim for the meeting came during a visit on Thursday by the Iraqi Vice President and member of IAF Tariq al-Hashemi to the head of Coalition Bloc Abdul Aziz al-Hakim on his return from medical trip," Hashemi's office said a statement received by the independent news agency Voices of Iraq (VOI).
The statement explained that Hakim's call to a meeting between the Iraqi Accordance Front and the Iraqi United Coalition was meant to discuss the demands of the Front. The Iraqi Accordance Front set on Thursday one-week deadline to meet its demands otherwise it would totally withdraw from the government. It demanded, among others, releasing detainees and having partnership in making security and political decisions.
Meanwhile, parliamentarian Harith al-Ubaidi said on Thursday the Accordance Front suspended it participation in the government until its demands were met. "The Front decided on Thursday to suspend it membership in the government until the demands it has announced will be met," al-Ubaidi told VOI over the phone.
He added "our demands circle around issuing amnesty in preparation to release the detainees and prisoners and stop the raids, arrests, and illegal practices. Those who suspended their membership were deputy premier Salam al-Zobae and the six ministers representing the front," al-Ubaidi explained.
The Iraqi Accordance Front has (44) seats out of 275-member-Parliament and has six ministries within the cabinet. The spokesperson for the Front said on Thursday the Accordance will withdraw from the Iraqi government if its demands were not seriously addressed. "The Front suffered from procrastination and delay, and if the government does not respond to our demands…we will have to withdraw from the government and the parliament," said MP Abdullah Saleem told VOI.
"The withdrawal applies to Deputy Prime Minister Salam al-Zobae, and excludes Vice President Tariq al-Hashemi", he noted. The Front has already announced suspending its ministers' participation in the government against what it said "wrong practices by the Iraqi authorities towards the front member and minister of culture Asaad al Hashimi.
Labels: Abdul Aziz Al Hakim, Harith al-Ubaidi, Iraqi Accordance Front, Salam al-Zobae, Tariq al-Hashemi, United Iraqi Coalition, withdrawal
